Thread Tools

I was recently made aware of a possible problem when renewing the FOID. I submitted my renewel about two months prior to the expiration. I know the state quickly cashed my check since it already cleared the bank. As of yet I haven't physically recieved my new card. So I went to the local fun shop and put money on a new toy, well the dealer said there is a possiblity of a denial from the state. The reason? Well as soon as you submit your renewel form, the state issues you a new FOID number and the old one becomes invalid. So your old card will not be good anymore even though you haven't reached your actual expiration date. Since the state is taking it's sweet time mailing me my new card, I may be in a sort of FOID limbo. The gunshop owner was cool and aware of this problem, so the worst I'll have to do is fill out the forms again, my gripe is with the poor system this state has. I would not have had this problem if I waited until it actually expired, so I ended up getting screwed out of a month. So I guess the lesson is don't renew until the very last minute.

I applied for mine back in January and I received it 3 months later!...

Click to expand...

I contacted my State Rep who then contacted the ISP liason. I had it a week after that...after waiting more than two months.

Don't bother trying to call. The line is always busy or it hangs up on you. Contact your State Rep and see if they can assist. By law the ISP is not supposed to take more than 30 days to approve or deny an FOID.

By law the ISP is not supposed to take more than 30 days to approve or deny an FOID.

Click to expand...

That is correct. Back in the fall and mid-winter, ISP was having tremendous difficulty turning around applications in less than 60 days. It was due in large part to the HUGE increase in application volume. Many citizens considered their slow turnaround time to be deliberate, but as a LEO I had an occasion to speak to command personnel (on another matter, but we discussed applications) and in reality it was that they simply couldn't keep up. They appear to be getting back to normal.

I'm not a fan of the FOID program, but I did support the fee increase from $5 to $10 some time ago. If the state is going to require a FOID program, at least it should be funded well enough to secure staffing that is adequate to get citizens their cards in a timely manner.

It's 5 years later after this post, and I am still waiting for my FOID for 40+ days, when I called and told them the law requires them to respond in 30 days, the lady responded "it's not the law" - next time I will send her a bookmark

There's a phone # on the back of the application, in 217 area code. It's a direct line into FOID.
But, you have to stay on the line & work your way thru the prompts. But you WILL eventually reach a human being, and they usually can clear matters up easily.
One hint....DON'T SEND A PERSONAL CHECK ! Use a Postal M.O. and it works faster !

It's rather unfortunate that we seem to have a Governor who's for the state & for the people, and a legislature that seems to think that the whole purpose of the state is to provide for the upkeep & WELFARE of ChiCongo !

I was recently made aware of a possible problem when renewing the FOID. I submitted my renewel about two months prior to the expiration. I know the state quickly cashed my check since it already cleared the bank. As of yet I haven't physically recieved my new card. So I went to the local fun shop and put money on a new toy, well the dealer said there is a possiblity of a denial from the state. The reason? Well as soon as you submit your renewel form, the state issues you a new FOID number and the old one becomes invalid. So your old card will not be good anymore even though you haven't reached your actual expiration date. Since the state is taking it's sweet time mailing me my new card, I may be in a sort of FOID limbo. The gunshop owner was cool and aware of this problem, so the worst I'll have to do is fill out the forms again, my gripe is with the poor system this state has. I would not have had this problem if I waited until it actually expired, so I ended up getting screwed out of a month. So I guess the lesson is don't renew until the very last minute.

I contacted my State Rep who then contacted the ISP liason. I had it a week after that...after waiting more than two months.

Don't bother trying to call. The line is always busy or it hangs up on you. Contact your State Rep and see if they can assist. By law the ISP is not supposed to take more than 30 days to approve or deny an FOID.

Click to expand...

I know this is old news, but the principles are the same, and take it from a (former) fellow Illinoisan: when visiting your state rep/senator, be sure to have your cash "campaign contribution" ready.

Since I first posted that info, NOTE THE DATE OF POST... (which was correct, go ask your local post office) Illinois has gone full electronic, no longer using mail-in applications EXCEPT for youth applications which must still have the adult signature notarized. Now you need a computer, a cell-phone camera & a credit card, but the applications are coming back MUCH faster.
At one time I actually called the live phone number & after about 20 min. or so of phone tag I actually got a live individual on the line, who resolved my problem in less than 5 minutes !
So it can work, sometimes.

Glock Talk is the #1 site to discuss the world’s most popular pistol, chat about firearms, accessories and more. As our membership continues to grow we look forward to reading your stories and learning from your experiences. Membership is free and we welcome all types of shooters, whether you're a novice or a pro. Come for the info, stay and make some friends..